Sailing Holidays – Scotland

Explore and experience the Western Isles of Scotland under sail. Where else in Europe does a sailing holiday offer so much, right here on our doorstep? With seas sheltered by the Outer Hebridean Islands, your ocean adventure will carry you on a voyage of discovery, exploring remote islands, secluded lochs and dark mountains shielding you from a more hurried modern world.

Long Days of Light

From early summer, being so far north, the Western Isles can bathe in long warm sunny days and great sailing conditions, but like anywhere, when the wind decides to blow in from the Atlantic your skipper will find plenty of sheltered bays to run in and anchor, or long winding lochs to continue our adventures. It’s not all about the sailing. Once anchored the crew will run you ashore in the dinghy to climb a high point or for those of you who wish to can swim off the boat or beachcomb on white sand beaches with no other people in sight.

Whisky

Each May we offer guests the chance to experience the wonderful Scottish ‘uisge beatha’ (whisky) ‘the water of life’, aboard Bessie Ellen. This magical voyage takes guests on a journey through special malt whiskies produced on Islay – tasting, understanding and learning about the culture and industry surrounding their production. Throughout the voyage there are plenty of opportunities to explore unspoilt beaches and dance the night away – truly memorable experience.

Secluded Bay to Sheltered Lochs

From Iona’s white sands to the rugged cliffs of the Shiant Isles, the Sea of Hebrides beckons with remote places, historic monuments, local cultures and magical wildlife.

There is so much to see and do here and a favourite is visiting the puffin colony, sitting so close to these painted birds it seems unnatural that these wild birds accept you among their burrows. Not far is Fingal’s cave, basalt column rise out of the sea forming the deep mysterious cave of legend.

This is Nikki’s favourite cruising ground. She explains “Nothing gives me more pleasure than leaving the North Channel astern, and in front, great mountains and islands rise up from a silver sea just waiting to be explored. The diversity of wildlife and the islands’ ancient histories mixed with extraordinary geology highlighted by ever changing skies make each day just gloriously magical.”